Pune/Mumbai, Sept. 20 -- Maharashtra agriculture minister Dattatray Bharne on Saturday said he would ensure that only tea and water are served at all forthcoming drought-related meetings, after a controversy erupted over ministers, MPs and MLAs being seen eating cashews and almonds during a review meeting on the drought-like situation in Marathwada in Nanded earlier in the day. The opposition criticised the politicians as "insensitive" for eating costly dry fruits while farmers face severe distress. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, meanwhile, blamed the administration, saying it should have shown greater sensitivity while organising the meeting. The meeting, chaired by Bharne, was attended by elected representatives and officials from Marathwada's eight districts to review the impact of deficient rainfall. A video that went viral showed Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Jadhav eating cashews and almonds, while plates of dry fruits were seen on the tables of other ministers, MPs and MLAs, including Atul Save and Meghna Bordikar. Marathwada has received 424.5 mm of rainfall between June and September so far, 69.2% of the average 679.5 mm recorded during the period. Last year, the region received 119% of its average rainfall. "Farmers have lost their crops due to rain deficit, and are facing drinking water shortages too. Over 400 farmers died by suicide in the Marathwada region. In such situations, these leaders eating cashews and almonds shows their insensitivity towards the farmers and the drought situation," said Ambadas Danve, a Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator. Bharne told HT, "My meeting lasted for over four hours. I learned about the controversy after the meeting ended," he said. Fadnavis said the administration should have exercised greater discretion while making arrangements for the meeting. Jadhav, meanwhile, said the politicians had neither demanded nor arranged for the dry fruits. "The refreshment issue is taken care of by the officials who arranged the meeting. I am a human being, and I ate some dry fruits. There is no need for the opposition to blow up the issue. We discussed thoroughly about the drought-like situation in the region," he said....